Grading Each 2026 Offensive Position

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're in week 2 of our 2026 spring rankings update and while we'll have positional breakdowns of all the defensive positions this week, we'll also have periodic one-off pieces, ideas we've tossed around as a staff to include more players and give more unique looks at the rising senior class. Here, I'm taking an idea from our friends at Prep Redzone Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this fun piece, I'm giving a letter grade to each position group. By looking at overall depth, top-end talent, number of difference-makers, and the number of players at the position in the top 100, 200, and 300 overall in the rankings, we can compare each position group to past classes. Not every group can get an A, and a lower grade doesn't mean I don't like the players at that position, just that it isn't as strong top -to-bottom as some past classes. On the whole, I love this class and think it could be one of the most impactful in recent memory. So, let's dive in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grading the 2026 Offensive Position Groups</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterbacks: A</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look, if we're checking off criteria, this quarterback hits a ton of boxes:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elite player? Check. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284090' first='Faizon' last='Brandon']</strong> is the top player in the state and is my No. 2 QB in the country for another publication.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top-end talent? Check. P4 commits <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='896157' first='Zaid' last='Lott']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1144640' first='Ely' last='Hamrick']</strong> highlight a group of five quarterbacks in the top 50. In addition to those guys, i have Group of Five grades on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1099168' first='Lan' last='Farmer']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='870217' first='Tanner' last='Payne']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='690769' first='Gannon' last='Jones']</strong>, and Rice commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1243204' first='Aiden' last='Smalls']</strong>. That's nine quarterbacks who could play FBS football in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall depth? Check. We have 57 quarterbacks ranked, the second-most of any position, the first time I can recall that happening.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's any weakness in this quarterback class, it's a lack of bigger passers. Size certainly isn't everything, but plenty of colleges want tall passers. Outside of the top 75, there are a bunch of strong-armed passers, but only a handful have "prototypical" college QB size. Guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1159651' first='John' last='Kirkpatrick']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600470' first='TJ' last='Armstrong']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600193' first='Logan' last='Misocky']</strong> are 6'3"+ but that isn't a trait that just grows on trees, nor has it really in the past.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I feel like I'm nitpicking there. This class is full of talented, accurate passers under 6'1" and in the modern game, that works. Shorter guys simply need to have good pocket movement and accuracy and there's plenty of that in this class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Running Backs: C+</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're a D2 or FCS coach reading this, this running back class is for you, as it's one of the deeper classes for that level in a long time. That being said, the overall top-end FBS talent is thinner in this group. Our top-ranked running back is Charlotte Christian's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1106930' first='Jamal' last='Rule']</strong> followed by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1124842' first='Jayden' last='Jones'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1346327' first='Jayson' last='Franklin']</strong>. At No. 64 overall, Sun Valley's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1169882' first='Zach' last='Cullen'] </strong>rounds out that top group of four top RBs in the top 100.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Compare that to the 2025 class, which finished with nine in the top 75.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below that though, there's a backlog of talented FCS schools. It feels like every FCS and D2 program in North Carolina could recruit an in-state guy and there'd still be plenty left over for other teams around the county. There's also strong potential for shakeups in this group. I wouldn't be surprised to see <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473833' first='Brilison' last='McCullers']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122961' first='Shannon' last='Wingate Jr'].</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1277716' first='Shawn' last='Davis']</strong> all push for top 100 slots in our next couple of updates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wingate will be in a new offense with the chance to really impress while guys like Havelock's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665917' first='Jayden' last='Howard']</strong> will be getting more opportunities after the departure of top players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like a bunch of individual players in this group, but especially compared to the other skill positions, the running back group as a whole is just a bit thinner. That could change as this class evolves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Wide Receivers: A</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only reason this receiver group doesn't get a perfect A+ rating is simply that it's what we've come to expect from the Tar Heel state. Still, while an elite receiver class isn't a rarity in North Carolina, this is one of the deepest D1 classes we've ever seen at the position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 and 2024 classes were elite, especially at the top, with seven receivers each in the top 40 of their respective classes. But, 2024 had just 11 receivers in the top 100 overall players in the state and 2023 had 10. This 2026 class has 17 WRs ranked in the top 100, with guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368098' first='Tyreek' last='Copper']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='423992' first='Malachi' last='Gilchrist']</strong> lurking <em>just</em> outside the top 100.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If your team needs size and speed, don't worry, NC has you covered. 14 of the top 25 receivers are 6'2" or taller and most can really run. Five receivers moved up at least 50 overall spots in the rankings this update and there are guys we love even further down the rankings. Just look at this group of <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/spring-stock-risers-2026-wr-report/">stock-risers</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've written about a ton of guys in this group and have barely gotten to mention elite playmakers like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832280' first='Brody' last='Keefe']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1070820' first='Jaire' last='Richburg']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='909357' first='Kaden' last='Catoe']</strong> this cycle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tight Ends: C</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group just lacks overall depth. It's excellent at the top with eight tight ends in the top 100, but I just haven't seen a ton of guys in that FCS level (Though count me a massive fan of Mountain Heritage's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1665273' first='Cason' last='Jones']</strong>). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The guys we do have ranked (just 14 total) are all worthy of a scholarship and I've heard from schools all across the country that tight end recruiting has been difficult in 2026. So, I encourage D2/D3 schools to take a look at guys like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1644371' first='Hayne' last='Tobias']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600773' first='Quinn' last='Rucker']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1449604' first='Gavin' last='Ramirez']</strong>, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1368102' first='Nate' last='Akers']</strong>. Check out my <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/spring-rankings-update-2026-te-new-additions/">new to the rankings</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/05/spring-stock-risers-2026-te-report/">stock-risers</a> tight end breakdowns for scouting reports.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Line: B+</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First, a shoutout to coaches this cycle. Finding offensive linemen organically in a state with over 500 schools is difficult. Unfortunately, newspaper recaps and MaxPreps leaderboards typically aren't loaded with info about the big nasties up front. Most of our work on offensive linemen comes from in-person scouting and coaches who reach out asking us to scout their big guys up front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, the fact that we've been able to scout and rank 69 offensive linemen across the state is a testament to the hard work of coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yeah, that's a lot of offensive linemen. This is a class that can completely retool an FCS school and the smart ones will try to take three or four players from the Tar Heel state across the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are the elite players (<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='615340' first='Ekene' last='Ogboko']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='864378' first='Leo' last='Delaney']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1080916' first='Jabian' last='Shabazz']</strong>) but also fast-risers and high-ceiling players like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600466' first='Jamaare' last='Williams']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='595731' first='DC' last='Carr']</strong>. There are several tackles who may flex inside to guard, but there are still plenty of players who could stay at tackle and severla more with positional flexibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>How'd I do? If you have thoughts on my grades or individual players, feel free to reach out on Twitter (<a href="https://x.com/whelms21">@whelms21</a>).</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->